You’ve probably heard the word “flexitarian” pop up in food conversations lately. But what does it really mean, and why are more people choosing to eat this way?
Let’s break it down simply:
Flexitarian = flexible + vegetarian.
It’s a way of eating that’s mostly plant-based, but allows occasional animal products — without guilt, rules, or pressure.
Why go flexi?
You don’t have to give up meat completely to eat more sustainably. A flexitarian focuses on progress over perfection, and here’s why it’s powerful:
·Better for the planet: Livestock production is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gases. Eating less meat = less impact.
·Good for your body: Plant-rich diets are linked to lower risks of heart disease, diabetes, and inflammation.
·Budget-friendly: Lentils, beans, and veggies are cheaper and more filling than processed foods or daily meat.
How to start eating flexitarian
No strict diet plans needed. Here’s how to ease into it:
·Do a Meatless Monday each week
·Use meat as a side, not the main dish
·Try veggie versions of meals you already love (hello, mushroom tacos!)
·Explore plant-based proteins: tofu, tempeh, lentils, chickpeas
·Keep it simple, even one plant-based meal a day counts
Flexitarian eating is about freedom, not fear. It’s choosing more plants, more variety, and more care, for your health, for animals, and for the earth.
You don’t have to be fully vegetarian to make a difference.
Just start where you are, and eat with intention.